WHEREAS the UBCIC Chiefs Council has in the past supported the objectives and mandate of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council (MTTC) members within their Traditional territories with respect to fish farm activities within our collective territories, and most recently supported the creation of the First Nations Strategic Alliance on Aquaculture (FNSAA) through UBCIC Resolution 2006-12;

WHEREAS there are ongoing provincial public initiatives to address public concerns about the environmental impacts of open net cage fin fish farming in British Columbia, such as the Pacific Salmon Forum (PSF) and the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture (SCSA);

WHEREAS there are impacts and studies that have been peer reviewed and published which demonstrate impacts to the marine food resources and the Title and Rights of Coastal First Nations;

WHEREAS there have been several resolutions, recommendations and requests for a moratorium on the development of new open net cage fin fish farm sites, from both aboriginal and non-aboriginal organizations, including but not limited to the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture, the Union of BC Municipalities, the Wilderness Tourism Association and the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCIC Chiefs Council fully support a moratorium on new open net cage fin fish farm sites, and on the expansion of existing sites, until an adequate framework for consultation and accommodation are agreed to by the Province and the MTTC/FNSAA, including agreements to implement joint decision making institutions to ensure sustainable management of marine resources in British Columbia;

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UBCIC Chiefs Council request an immediate response from the Provincial Cabinet to the call for a moratorium on new open net cage fin fish farm sites, and on the expansion of existing sites.

Previously there were calls for shutting down the industry - then a moratorium on expansion.

Now . . . The latest development involves a movement to shutdown the open containment salmon farms. Ruth Salmon, (Yes, that is her name) of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance joins the growing voices of concern regarding a possible push to transition the BC industry to closed containment.

"Superficially, closed containment may appear as a viable alternative to current production systems," says Salmon. "However, in practice this is not yet the case. Closed containment operations in BC and New Brunswick have already proven to be economically impractical. Closed containment has also been attempted in Norway, Scotland, Iceland, Portugal and Spain. All of these operations closed within 3-4 years of opening."

To ensure fish health, closed systems require that fresh seawater be continually pumped into the fish tanks. But the industry people explain, that it is a matter of common sense economics, "To produce BC's annual salmon aquaculture production in closed systems, the power used to pump the seawater would represent a massive increase in fossil fuel consumption and harmful greenhouse gas emissions."

Leaders of several First Nations that support fish farming, say they have learned the provincial New Democrats are about to push for major, troublesome changes to aquaculture in British Columbia ( New Democrats are the official Opposition, and not in power in BC).

Gitxaala, Tla-o-qui-aht, Kitasoo First Nations accuse NDP members of the government's Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture, of "ignoring input from coastal communities, First Nations and the aquaculture industry, in their recommendations on the future of salmon farming in BC".

The First Nations supportive of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, learned that the NDP will present its recommendations to government shortly and will include "a call for the $700 million a year salmon farming industry to transition to commercial scale closed containment systems within three years". Fish farmers point out that closed containment is a long time goal of environmental activists, and will be recommended despite the fact that "commercial closed containment technology is unproven, will significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions, and is not used anywhere in the world to grow salmon".

The NDP call for a moratorium on new salmon farm licenses north of Cape Caution, runs counter to the interests of the Gitxaala First Nations in establishing salmon farms within their traditional territory.

Under the NDP recommendations, existing farms operated within the traditional territory of the Kitasoo First Nation will require negotiations and the consent of other First Nations - outside of the Kitasoo territory - if existing operations are to expand.

Chief Clifford White, Gitxaala First Nation says, "The NDP are slamming the door in the face of our people. We believe aquaculture creates a sustainable economy that will allow our people to build meaningful jobs and careers in our traditional homes. If these recommendations are made, the actions of the NDP members of the Special Committee are unacceptable".

People opposed to open fish farming, including many other First Nation communities, fear they are a serious threat to wild salmon. At the First Nations Chiefs Health Symposium in Duncan last month, 'Namgis First Nation Chief William Cranmer, called for more research into contaminants in traditional food sources. For example, he cited the "contaminants in wild salmon because of open-net fish farms."

Musgamagw Nations are opposed to any open net fish farms in their territories, and in 2005 cited scientific research that found cancer causing agents in wild salmon, linked to fish farms.

Meanwhile, demand for salmon is growing as more and more consumers recognize the health benefits of eating fish. With this impetus, fish farmers say aquaculture offers a way to meet that growing demand "without putting undue pressure on wild stocks".

For several years there has been a great debate - with back-and-forth scientific studies countering each others' findings, for and against fish farms.

The economics of salmon farming provide a compelling counter argument to the naysayers and their numerous studies condemning the industry.

It is British Columbia's largest agricultural export, generating more than $450 million in revenue annually.

Approximately 80 per cent of salmon farmed in British Columbia is exported and current production, of approximately 80,000 metric tonnes per year, is not sufficient to meet market demand.

BC Sustainable Aquaculture Committee Recommendation Not Sustainable The upcoming recommendations of the BC Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture will apparently include a directive for the entire BC salmon aquaculture industry to move to closed containment production systems within the next three years – despite the fact that viable closed containment systems have not yet been developed.

“It is stunning that a committee supposedly dedicated to furthering the sustainability of BC’s aquaculture industry would propose a recommendation that is neither environmentally – nor economically – sustainable”, said Ruth Salmon, Executive Director of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance.

Closed containment refers to fish production systems that allow no direct contact between the farmed fish and the marine environment.

“Superficially, closed containment may appear as a viable alternative to current production systems,” says Salmon, “however, in practice this is not yet the case. Closed containment operations in BC and New Brunswick have already proven to be economically impractical. Closed containment has also been attempted in Norway, Scotland, Iceland, Portugal and Spain. All of these operations closed within 3-4 years of opening.”

Not only were these closed containment systems found to be economically impractical, they also proved to be environmentally unjustifiable. To ensure fish health, closed systems require that fresh seawater be continually pumped into the fish tanks. To produce BC’s annual salmon aquaculture production in closed systems, the power used to pump the seawater would represent a massive increase in fossil fuel consumption and harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

“For the committee to suggest that such systems could be developed, proven to be sustainable - and then fully implemented on BC farms - within 3 years is completely unrealistic,” said Salmon.

The provincial and federal regulatory requirements already enforced in the BC aquaculture industry have established the most stringent environmental standards of all aquaculture producing countries. The production systems currently in use in the industry meet or exceed these environmental standards.

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance fully supports the ongoing research and development of technologies capable of supporting sustainable closed containment systems, as well as ongoing ocean science and research to support the sustainable farming of fish in their natural environment. However - given the current absence of closed containment technologies - the provincial government’s acceptance of the committee’s recommendations would undermine investor confidence and result in further job losses in BC’s salmon aquaculture industry, as evidenced by the recent closure of the Englewood processing plant.

With a total value of $700 million, restricting the sustained growth of this industry would eliminate one of the few beacons of hope for the long-term survival of many BC coastal communities – including several First Nations communities.

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) is a national industry association, headquartered in Ottawa. It represents the interests of Canadian aquaculture operators, feed companies and suppliers as well as provincial finfish and shellfish aquaculture associations.

CAIA is dedicated to promoting a responsible and healthy Canadian aquaculture industry that follows sound environmental practices and showcasing the health benefits of a wide variety of nutritious seafood products.

Recommendations Would be a Fatal Blow to the Growth of Aboriginal Aquaculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Campbell River, BC May 23, 2007

The acceptance by the Government of British Columbia of the recommendations outlined in the report of the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture would be a fatal blow to the growth of Aboriginal aquaculture development in the Province. Many coastal First Nation communities rely on the economic opportunities that are provided by salmon aquaculture. Hundreds of First Nation men and women are currently employed in the B.C aquaculture industry. With few opportunities in the forestry and fisheries sectors, aquaculture has been seen by many First Nations as a way to reverse the cycle of dependency.

Richard Harry, the Executive Director of the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association (AAA), states “ It is precisely because there is an increased interest in aquaculture development by First Nations that the AAA was established”. The AAA strives to assist First Nations that want to pursue opportunities in sustainable aquaculture development in a manner that supports First Nation communities, culture and values.

There are many positive instances of First Nation involvement in aquaculture development. For example, the community of Kitasoo has successfully partnered with industry resulting in increased employment and capacity building while maintaining control over their traditional territory while ensuring adherence to strict environmental monitoring requirements. “The First Nation leadership needs to support and respect the decision of those First Nations who look to aquaculture as an economic development option. We must draw on the positive examples, learn from them and move forward,” states Harry. The AAA is taking the lead in the development of the Aboriginal Certification of Environmental Sustainability (ACES), a program that will ensure that traditional First Nations values are respected in the management of the aquaculture industry in British Columbia by combining traditional knowledge of the environment with the guidance of scientific and environmental experts.

The AAA believes that the B.C. Government, when deliberating the recently released report, must make decisions that balance the needs of all stakeholders and signal its support for the potential for growth in this key industry.

BC Government Must Support Final Report of Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, May 17, 2007)

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs stated today, “The UBCIC fully supports the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture, in particular we agree that First Nations must be fully consulted in all aspects of the decision making process of the aquaculture industry. It’s time for the BC Government to live the commitment of the New Relationship at the First Nation community level.”

The recommendations include:

• Permanent ban on salmon farms on the North Coast of British Columbia, north of Cape Caution.

• For existing open-net caged salmon farms on the South Coast of British Columbia a transition to closed containment within 5 years, with a biological barrier separating the farmed salmon from the marine environment

• Moratorium on any new salmon farms until transition of existing farms to closed containment is complete

• Fallowing the salmon farms on migratory routes during young wild salmon migration from the rivers to the sea

• Move away from industry self-policing and have government staff conduct random checks without any notice to salmon farm operators

Geoff Senichenko, Research Director of the Wilderness Committee stated, "We are witnessing the highly destructive impacts of fish farms on indigenous salmon species in the Broughton Archipelago. The damage due to fish farms has been clearly documented by the work of Alexandra Morton and Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council."

“The UBCIC Chiefs Council has consistently opposed fish farms and will continue to do so until such time as the destructive and deadly impacts to the indigenous salmon and shell-fish harvesting areas are fully addressed. The UBCIC is urging the BC Government to support the report” said Grand Chief Phillip.

"The Wilderness Committee does not support any type of salmon farming as it is unsustainable, even if using closed cont ainment technologies. Salmon are carnivores and the world's oceans are being depleted to provide the protein necessary for salmon farm feed. Salmon farming should be phased out completely and instead we should invest into restoring wild salmon stocks and look at raising herbivore fish sustainably on land as has been done in Asia for thousands of years." said Geoff Senichenko. "The recommendations of the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture, however, are a good first step to address the negative impacts of fish farms on wild salmon and the marine environment and need to be adopted by the BC government to move us forward."

The Union of BC Indian Chiefs and Western Canada Wilderness Committee shall continue collaborating and supporting their mutual efforts on the vital issue of fish farms.

First Nations Summit Encourages BC Government to Implement Recommendations of the Special Committee
on Sustainable Aquaculture

Coast Salish Traditional Territory/West Vancouver, BC — The First Nations Summit is encouraging the BC Government to implement recommendations contained in the Final Report of the Special Legislative Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture which was released
today.

“The First Nations Summit is encouraged that the report of the Sustainable Aquaculture Committee has taken into account the need for safeguarding the existing habitat of wild stocks and responding to the potential threats that are posed by the operation of open net fish farms”, said Chief Judith Sayers, a member of the First Nations Summit Political
Executive.

“Aquatic resources and habitat are under continuous threat from a variety of sources, including aquaculture operations. The provincial government must work and consult with First Nations to consider collective strategies to safeguard and restore habitat and ensure that aquatic resources continue to sustain and grow wild stocks into the future”, added Chief Sayers.

The First Nations Summit is also pleased the Committee has framed the recommendations contained in the final report taking into account the principles and vision of the New Relationship and has stated that “First Nations, in whose traditional territory work is being conducted must be fully involved in decision making and provided with the capacity to do
so”.

In September 2005 the First Nations Summit Chiefs in Assembly passed a resolution calling upon BC and Canada to immediately order a moratorium on any further expansion of opennet fish farms on the coast of British Columbia.

The BC Legislative Assembly appointed the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture to examine, inquire into and make recommendations with respect to Sustainable Aquaculture in British Columbia and in particular consider the economic and environmental
impacts of the aquaculture industry in B.C. and sustainable options for aquaculture in B.C. that balance economic goals with environmental imperatives, focusing on the interaction between aquaculture, wild fish and the marine environment.

Report on BC fish farms was almost "the one that got away" - Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture approves it by a squeaker (tie-breaker) vote.

"The core recommendation is five years to look at ocean-based closed-containment . . . There are other recommendations in the report which are not related to ocean-based closed-containment, issues such as introducing a fallowing system as was seen previously, working closely with first nations, making sure the new relationship underpins everything that we do on the coast with aquaculture and making sure that we are being much more inclusive."

The recommendations the NDP-led Committee of
Sustainable Aquaculture presented to the Legislative assembly this afternoon will satisfy environmental activists at the expense of BC's coastal communities.

Industry representatives were joined by First Nations to say they participated fully in the review process in the hope that the recommendations would be constructive. The Committee members' lack of technical understanding, their willingness to ignore science and commercial interests, and their
apparent disregard for the men and women who work in the aquaculture industry, and for First Nations interested in sustainable aquaculture, is shocking.

"The NDP are slamming the door in the face of our people," says Chief White, Gitxaala First Nation. "We believe aquaculture creates a sustainable economy that will allow our people to build meaningful jobs and careers in our traditional homes. The report presented today is totally unacceptable."

The Committee has recommended that BC's $485 million a year salmon farming industry transition from ocean farms to closed containment pens within five years. However, commercial closed containment technology is not in use anywhere in the world. Pilot projects undertaken by industry and government in B.C. and many other parts of the world have raised significant concerns about fish health and the energy use required to mimic ocean conditions in the closed concrete containers which are proposed.

"If these recommendations are adopted as presented here today, it would send a clear message to our First Nation partners, the coastal communities who
depend on our industry and the wider business community that BC is not a favourable place to do business," says Alistair Haughton, Deputy Managing
Director, Mainstream Canada. "The idea that we could turn away from scientifically developed and environmentally sustainable practices to gamble
with the health of our livestock by attempting to rear them in systems with no data to support their claimed benefits is simply not acceptable."

BC salmon farmers already have to meet the strictest regulation for environmental protection of any producing country in the world. Farmers say this is acceptable but that the Committee's recommendation to transition the industry to closed containment systems is not. Farmers know that closed containment delivers two results: Fish health goes down; energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions go up.

"While we haven't had an opportunity to read the report in detail, based on what we understand is being recommended we are disappointed," says Clare
Backman, Marine Harvest Canada. "We had hoped for more innovative, original recommendations providing for the continuity of a strong viable industry while
addressing the issues of sustainability.

The immediate next step is to review these recommendations in detail and provide our perspective to government and interested parties. In doing this our focus is on ensuring our practises are
environmentally appropriate and economically viable but without reliance upon unproven closed technology that has historically failed to deliver its
promised results."

A report - Salmon Forever - published by the BC Auditor General in 2005 pointed to a number of environmental impacts affecting wild salmon and their
habitat, by type of activity. Representatives of the salmon farming industry call for government to revisit that report and take the action required rather than endorsing recommendations which will adversely impact more than 6000 men and women employed in aquaculture.

A recent report by PriceWaterhouseCooper shows that the direct employment in salmon farming has more than doubled since the early 1990s and there are strong market prospects for the future. Production increased in 2006, up 16% over the previous year from 70,6000 metric tonnes to an estimated 82,000 metric tonnes; however, market demand has grown more quickly and is
greater than BC's production.

"If we strip away the rhetoric in the Committee's report the harsh reality is that the main recommendations say BC does not want to participate in the global marketplace and that companies are better to invest elsewhere."

British Columbia has earned a strong position in the global market as a producer of top quality salmon. As global market for salmon continues to grow, farming is a means to meet this increased demand without putting pressure on declining wild stocks.

Ottawa, ON, May 16, 2007 – The BC Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture today recommended that the entire BC salmon aquaculture industry be moved to closed containment production systems within the next five years, says the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance Executive Director Ruth Salmon.

Tofino, BC- - An unknown number of farmed Atlantic salmon have escaped from a net-cage containing 20,000 fish at Mainstream’s Saranac farm in Clayoquot Sound. Mainstream Canada is a subsidiary of Norwegian multinational Cermaq aquaculture. Sources say a harvesting boat tore a hole in one of the net cages. This is the second major escape of farmed Atlantics on the west coast of Vancouver Island since 2004.

The escape comes just one week after BC Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Pat Bell, approved an open net-cage salmon farm in a nearby region, ignoring the recommendations of the Special Committee for Sustainable Aquaculture to transition the industry to closed containment. Closed containment tanks would provide a solid barrier between farmed fish and the ocean, and would greatly reduce the likelihood of escapes, as well as other detrimental effects of salmon farming.

In the past 20 years, over a million farmed salmon have been reported to escape into the waters of British Columbia. Escaped farmed salmon can be carriers of disease and parasites, compete with wild salmon, and flourish and breed in BC rivers. The long-term effects of these escapes on wild salmon are not yet known, but experts believe impacts could be dramatic.

“Unfortunately events such as this can be expected. The BC industry has a history of negative ecological impacts such as escapes, sea lice epidemics, mass sea lion kills, and chemical use. We desperately need to transition salmon farms into closed containment facilities so that the industry can operate more responsibly,” said Dom Repta of the Friends of Clayoquot Sound. “Any escapes are simply unacceptable.”

BC’s Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture (SCSA) spent 18 months seeking input from scientists, First Nations, conservation groups, industry and concerned communities to help define sustainable salmon farming. The SCSA report reflects the weight of scientific evidence that shows open net-cage salmon farms cannot co-exist in a sustainable manner with wild salmon and coasta1 ecosystems. For years, the Friends of Clayoquot Sound, a member of the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform, have been working to transition the industry into closed containment facilities.

“If the provincial government would move forward and implement the recommendations of their self-appointed Committee, negative impacts such as escapes could be drastically reduced,” said Maryjka Mychajlowycz of the Friends of Clayoquot Sound. “The precious and dwindling wild salmon of BC and Clayoquot Sound should not be exposed to further risks from open net-cage salmon farms.”

"All the field researchers noted that over 80 percent of the wild salmon smolts migrating out of the Broughton in the spring of 2007 had no lice whatsoever. " Pacific Salmon Forum

"The impact is so severe that the viability of the wild salmon populations is threatened," said lead author Martin Krkosek, a fisheries ecologist from the University of Alberta. Krkosek and his co-authors calculate that sea lice have killed more than 80 per cent of the annual pink salmon returns to British Columbia's Broughton Archipelago. "If nothing changes, we are going to lose these fish."
- - -

For Immediate Release
December 18, 2007

BC PACIFIC SALMON FORUM TO MEET WITH MARTIN KRKOSEK

NANAIMO: The Pacific Salmon Forum has issued the following statement
concerning a study by Martin Krkosek of the University of Alberta and published in Science magazine.

Using a mathematical model of epidemiology and data gathered in and before 2005 on pink and chum salmon populations in the Broughton Archipelago, Mr. Krkosek argued that the transfer of sea lice from salmon farms to wild salmon in the Broughton Archipelago would effectively eliminate wild salmon in the Broughton’s rivers.

Since 2005 the Forum has commissioned some $2.5 million in field and laboratory research, most of it focused on the Broughton Archipelago involving more than a dozen of the leading scientists in Canada. This research, which is taking place under the guidance of a Science Advisory Committee composed of many of Canada’s leading fish biologists, will not be complete until the end of 2008, at which time its overall findings will be peer reviewed and made public.

However, interim findings from this research, to be released in early January 2008, do not support the Krkosek prediction of rapidly declining pink and chum salmon stocks in the Broughton.

The marine survival of pink salmon to the Glendale River, the region’s major producing river for pinks has been equal or better than the survival rates for pinks in other coastal watersheds where there are no salmon farms. Pink salmon returns in the other Broughton watersheds were as good as or better than those that occurred in 2005.

All the field researchers noted that over 80 percent of the wild salmon smolts migrating out of the Broughton in the spring of 2007 had no lice whatsoever.

The Forum is inviting Mr. Krkosek to meet with its Science Advisory Committee to discuss his study. The extent of the impact of salmon farming on wild salmon is still not fully understood, nor is there a consensus of scientists on the best ways to minimize that impact.

The BC Pacific Salmon Forum is a group of well informed citizens, chaired by Hon. John Fraser, appointed by the BC Government in 2005 to commission research into salmon issues, fill knowledge gaps, and make recommendations in 2008 aimed at ensuring sustainable wild and farmed salmon industries.

Edmonton - A University of Alberta study shows, for the first time, that parasitic sea lice infestations caused by salmon farms are driving nearby populations of wild salmon toward extinction.

The results, appearing in the December 14 issue of the journal Science, show that the affected pink salmon populations have been rapidly declining for four years. The scientists expect a 99 per cent collapse in another four years, or two salmon generations, if the infestations continue.

"The impact is so severe that the viability of the wild salmon populations is threatened," said lead author Martin Krkosek, a fisheries ecologist from the University of Alberta. Krkosek and his co-authors calculate that sea lice have killed more than 80 per cent of the annual pink salmon returns to British Columbia's Broughton Archipelago. "If nothing changes, we are going to lose these fish."

Previous peer-reviewed papers by Krkosek and others showed that sea lice from fish farms can infect and kill juvenile wild salmon. This, however, is the first study to examine the population-level effects on the wild salmon stocks.

"It shows there is a real danger to wild populations from the impact of farms," said Ray Hilborn, a fisheries biologist from the University of Washington who was not involved in the study. "The data for individual populations are highly variable. But there is so much of it, it is pretty persuasive that salmon populations affected by farms are rapidly declining."

According to experts, the study also raises serious concerns about large-scale proposals for net pen aquaculture of other species and the potential for pathogen transfer to wild populations.

"This paper is really about a lot more than salmon," said Hilborn. "It is about the impacts of net pen aquaculture on wild fish. This is the first study where we can evaluate these interactions and it certainly raises serious concerns about proposed aquaculture for other species such as cod, halibut and sablefish."

The data are from the Broughton Archipelago, a group of islands and channels about 260 miles northwest of Vancouver that is environmentally, culturally and economically dependent on wild salmon. To pinpoint the effect of salmon farms, the study used a large dataset collected by Fisheries and Ocean Canada that estimates how many adult salmon return from the ocean to British Columbia's rivers each year. Extending back to 1970, the data covers 14 populations of pink salmon that have been exposed to salmon farms, and 128 populations that have not.

Sea lice are naturally occurring parasites of wild salmon that latch onto the skin in the open ocean. The lice are transmitted by a tiny free-swimming larval stage. Open-net salmon farms are a haven for these parasites, which feed on fish skin and muscle tissue. Adult salmon can survive a small number of lice, but juveniles headed from the river to the sea are very small, thin-skinned and vulnerable.

In the Broughton Archipelago, the juvenile salmon must run an 80-kilometre gauntlet of fish farms before they reach the open ocean. "Salmon farming breaks a natural law," said co-author Alexandra Morton, director of the Salmon Coast Field Station, located in the Broughton. "In the natural system, the youngest salmon are not exposed to sea lice because the adult salmon that carry the parasite are offshore. But fish farms cause a deadly collision between the vulnerable young salmon and sea lice. They are not equipped to survive this, and they don't."

Salmon bring nutrients from the open ocean back to the coastal ecosystem. Killer whales, bears, wolves, birds and even trees depend on pink salmon. "If you lose wild salmon there's a lot you are going to lose with them - including other industries such as fishing and tourism," said Krkosek.

"An important finding of this paper is that the impact of the sea lice is so large that it exceeds that of the commercial fishery that used to exist here," said Jennifer Ford, a co-author and fisheries scientist. "Since the infestations began, the fishery has been closed and the salmon stocks have continued declining."

The researchers observed that when farms on a primary migration route were temporarily shut down, sea lice numbers dropped and salmon populations increased. "Even though they have complicated migration patterns they all have one thing in common - overall, the populations that are declining are the ones that are going past the farms," said Mark Lewis, a mathematical ecologist at the University of Alberta.
http://www.math.ualberta.ca/~mkrkosek/L ... 012.07.pdf- - -

SCIENCE, SEA LICE AND SALMON

A paper to be published December 14 in Science Magazine makes dire predictions about the state of pink salmon populations in BC's Broughton Archipelago region. Study authors suggest that sea lice from salmon farms are threatening the pink population and that "local extinction is certain, and a 99% collapse in pink salmon population abundance is expected in four salmon generations."

- Data from a 20-year monitoring program conducted by DFO scientists shows that pink salmon populations in the Broughton Archipelago tend to fluctuate in odd and even years: 2001 saw the highest pink salmon returns recorded in the 20 years of monitoring in the region. 2005 returns were higher than expected, higher than historic averages and higher than returns in 1987 – before there were salmon farms operating in the region.

- The numbers of sea lice found on salmon farms are tightly monitored and controlled. The provincial government demands monthly sea lice monitoring and has mandatory treatment levels at which farmed salmon populations must be treated to reduce the levels of sea lice. The sea lice stage of development at which the treatment level is set is prior to becoming infective. As the monitoring data shows, the number of lice found on salmon farms has been low with few treatments required.
http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/ahc/fish_health ... esults.htm

- Previous research, conducted by Martin Krkošek, one of the authors of the Science article, has shown that SLICE® is an effective means of treating sea lice outbreaks should they occur on farm sites. The study, funded by the Pacific Salmon Forum, considered whether the treatment of farmed salmon with SLICE protects out-migrating juvenile salmon from sea lice transmission from farmed salmon. He concluded SLICE has a significant impact in reducing lice levels.

For more information:

In 2006, the BC Pacific Salmon Forum funded a variety of research initiatives, many of which looked at the wild/farm salmon interactions and sea lice. Visit www.pacificsalmonforum.ca to see abstracts of the research findings.

"The Effects of Water Temperature, Salinity, and Currents on the Survival and Distribution of the Infective Copepodid Stage of Sea Lice (Lepeophtheirus Salmonis) Originating on Atlantic Salmon Farms in the Broughton Archipelago of British Columbia, Canada." Kenneth M. Brooks, Aquatic Environmental Sciences, Port Townsend, Washington, USA

PINK SALMON RETURNS

Pink salmon are unique in that they return with predictable regularity to spawn and die in the stream where they hatched exactly two years earlier: fish born in odd years return in the next odd year and mate with other odd-year fish; even-year fish do the same in even years.

Research data, collected dating back to 1953, shows that pink salmon returns in even years have been roughly double that of the odd year returns.

Here is an interesting finding: the rise and fall of pink salmon populations in the Broughton – where there are salmon farms – is mirrored in many other parts of the province where there are no salmon farms.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans monitors pink salmon returns (known as escapements) in 27 different zones along the British Columbia coast.

PHOTO: http://www.turtleisland.org/news/chiefnorway08.jpgChief Bob Chamberlin from the Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwa-mish First Nation in British Columbia delivers a letter inviting Norwegian King Harald V to see the impact of Norwegian owned Marine Harvest fish farms on the Canadian west coast.

Chief Bob Chamberlin, Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwa-mish First Nation is in Oslo where he delivered a letter inviting Norwegian King Harald V to see the operation of Marine Harvest fish farms on the Canadian west coast.

Although he was unable to present the letter directly to the King, Chief Chamberlin met with the King's representatives in the Norweigan palace where he informed them of "the devastating effects Norwegian owned fish farms are having on BC wild salmon stocks".

Chief Chamberlin invited the Norweigan King to visit Gilford Island to see the open net-cage farms of Norwegian salmon farming company Marine Harvest.

The company has salmon farms throughout the BC coast, including in the Broughton Archipelago, where research shows high rates of sea lice infection have seriously depressed wild salmon runs.

Sea lice levels on wild salmon have been severe and population declines of 98% have been recorded in this high farm density area on the coast.

Data published in the journal Science predicts that wild pink salmon in the Broughton Archipelago will be driven to extinction within four years unless action is taken to address the deadly impact of sea lice from salmon farms.
- - -

“We developed this plan to bring forward a real and practical measure that
responds to the government’s request that industry come up with solutions to
public concerns about the impacts of sea lice on wild fish.”
Clare Backman, Director of Environmental Compliance and Community Relations at Marine Harvest
- - -

"The impacts of sea lice on wild salmon is consistently minimized by fish farm companies here in British Columbia and Canada."
Bob Chamberlin, Chair, Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk Tribal Council
- - -

Marine Harvest Canada: Misleading Public

Alert Bay, BC, PRESS RELEASE, Jun.27, 2008

The Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk Tribal Council (MTTC) is shocked and dismayed in the Marine Harvest Canada (MHC) press release yesterday concerning the Coordinated Area Management Plan (CAMP) for the Broughtan Archipeligo.

It is incredibly disappointing that Marine Harvest would choose to pursue this in the press rather than engaging in good faith discussions with First Nations and Government rather than informational meetings as described in the press release.

In order to accomodate the fallow routes proposed, significant expansion of alternate sites are required.

The amendments have been "in-system" for a number of years and are now dressed up as a "Fallow Route" to safeguard wild salmon. This is unacceptable.

The impacts of sea lice on wild salmon is consistently minimized by fish farm companies here in British Columbia and Canada.

Yet in Norway, where this industry began, they have created National Salmon Fjords where fish farms are kept out in order to safeguard the wild salmon smolts from the deadly sea lice offered up via the fish farms.

CAMP does not create the safe passage as stated by MHC. The CAMP must include key farms of Mainstream Canada, and their offer of participation can be characterised as minimal at best.

Permanent fallow measures are vital and necessary. CAMP as presented will only be a slower death to the wild salmon of the Kingcome, Wakeman, Ahta, Kakweikan and the Meetup (Viner) watersheds.

CAMP is in need of expansion of fish farm free areas to adequately safegaurd the National Salmon Rivers of the Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk Tribal Council.

All these proposed ammendments are subject to consultation and accommodation as per the New Relationship promises.

The Supreme Court of Canada is quite clear that "business as usual " is no longer acceptable in relationship to Government, Industry and First Nations.

The MTTC will be pursuing a meeting with Minister Stan Hagen as soon as possible, to revisit the New Relationship and Supreme Court of Canada directives.

Marine Harvest proposes operational changes in Broughton to protect wild salmon Campbell River, BC. BC’s largest aquaculture company today announced a commitment to coordinate its operations in the Broughton Archipelago to create corridors during the spring out-migration of wild juvenile fish.

Under its Coordinated Area Management Plan (CAMP), Marine Harvest will create migratory corridors in the Broughton Archipelago during the outmigration season from March 1st to June 30th each year. Beginning in 2010 the company’s four farms in Lower Knight Inlet will be emptied of fish during this time period. In odd-numbered years beginning in 2011 Marine Harvest’s five farms in Tribune-Fife will be empty during the out-migration. At no time during the out-migration will any Marine Harvest Broughton-area farms contain adult fish.

During the out-migration season in 2009 only one farm at the western end of the Tribune-Fife corridor will have fish present. This site will be closely monitored to ensure the wellbeing of out migrating juvenile wild salmon. The plan is intended to continue for six years while monitoring the effectiveness of the migration corridors.

“We are ready to move forward with CAMP pending the required government
approvals,” says Clare Backman, Director of Environmental Compliance and
Community Relations at Marine Harvest. “We briefed the government, First
Nations and environmental groups on this Plan in March. We took this step as a
precautionary measure. We certainly intend to meet with the new minister,
Hon. Stan Hagen, as soon as possible to ensure he is fully knowledgeable about
our plan and its benefits.

“The amendments we require have already been applied for and do not increase our overall production in the Broughton,” says Backman. “The amendments, which have gone through the required technical review will provide for the operational flexibility needed to implement CAMP, but we need government to make a decision quickly.

“We developed this plan to bring forward a real and practical measure that
responds to the government’s request that industry come up with solutions to
public concerns about the impacts of sea lice on wild fish,” says Backman. He
also notes that some First Nations in the area have not yet lent support for the
Plan.

Marine Harvest is the world largest aquaculture company with operations in
Norway, Scotland, Chile, and in British Columbia. Here Marine Harvest Canada
produces about 42,000 tonnes of high quality farmed Atlantic salmon every year for sale to export markets. The Company employs about 500 people on
Vancouver Island and the central coast. For more information please visit us at
www.MarineHarvestCanada.com-30-
Media Contact: Clare Backman, 250-850-3276, extension 7258
- - -

Marine Harvest and Kitasoo/Xai’xais mark ten years of partnership at Klemtu

A celebration was recently held in the small coastal village of Klemtu, British Columbia, to commemorate the ten years of collaboration and business success between the Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation and Marine Harvest Canada.

"I can’t say enough about what this partnership means to our community," says Percy Starr, Band Manager of the Kitasoo/Xai'xais First Nation. "It has meant steady jobs for a lot of our people and a sense of optimism and encouragement for the future. It is wonderful to see the workers walking home with a paycheck in their hand and a smile on their face. The relationship with Marine Harvest has been beautiful for our people."

Ian Roberts, who worked at Klemtu for nine years and is now Marine Harvest's Manager of Communications, says it has been "a very rewarding experience."

"Klemtu is a very isolated place, and it's a real credit to the Kitasoo/Xai'xais people that they've shown a lot of determination and perseverance in making Kitasoo Seafoods a very real and significant player in the Canadian aquaculture industry."

Today, B.C.’s aboriginal peoples are striving for the same things as everyone else – access to healthcare, a solid education for our children, meaningful employment, and respectful care for seniors.

We know these come about through economic opportunity, but it is difficult to find lasting and practical work in our communities on Vancouver Island and the mainland coast.

First Nations people are defined by these traditional places and our stories are steeped in history and tradition.

However, our remote locations often mean that these basic expectations and services are denied us.

Recently, economic opportunity has come to the Kitasoo/Xai’xais people at Klemtu in the form of salmon aquaculture. (In November they celebrated the 10 year anniversary of their partnership with Marine Harvest Canada)

But salmon aquaculture is controversial with some BC First Nations – including some of our neighbouring Nations in the Broughton Archipelago.

The Da’naxda’xw/Awaetlala Nation, which I represent, has been watching the development of salmon aquaculture for a while now. We know it has provided employment, stability and hope for the future for places like Klemtu. But what can aquaculture offer us? And at what cost to our environment? (Our traditional territory encompasses the upper Knight Inlet and all of the rivers and streams that flow into it.)

So when myself and 10 other Island First Nation leaders were invited to go to Stavanger, Norway last month to attend a global aquaculture conference and to see first&#8208;hand what the birth place and future of the salmon aquaculture industry, it just made good sense to go. This would help us make up our own minds about what future aquaculture might have for our people.

It was a busy five days. We saw salmon farms and processing plants, a cod hatchery, a halibut farm, and a salmon aquaculture research centre. We met with the Norwegian fisheries minister—Helga Pedersen, the first indigenous person of Norway (Sami) to hold a senior government role – and heard presentations from biologists, industry leaders, and environmental organizations.

A highlight was a visit to Rygjabø College, a 95&#8208;year&#8208;old institution on a small island, not unlike Harbledown Island where our home community is located.
For decades this small college has been teaching high school students from Stavanger, one of Norway’s major cities, in food preparation, the basics of commercial fishing and fish processing. In the 1970s the school added to its curriculum and has given an introduction to fish farming to about 85 students each year.

Leaving the Rygjabø school, several of us said, “We could see something like that in one of our communities one day.”

We also soon realized that aquaculture requires a lot of financial investment, commitment over a long development time, and a ton of help from scientific researchers to get started.

One presentation by an Australian tuna aquaculture operator talked about 20 years of research and the military precision with which eggs are sourced from wild brood fish to be used in tuna aquaculture.

Our main interests right now are to work alongside salmon farmers and to develop shellfish aquaculture.

We want to ensure that our traditional resources remain healthy and we are working with Marine Harvest Canada on a clam beach rejuvenation study.
In Norway, we were surprised by the many, many species now being raised through commercial aquaculture – cod, halibut, tilapia, trout, catfish, and carp were discussed but oysters, shrimp, mussels, and yes, clams are also being produced through aquaculture as well.

The future for aquaculture looks strong. Commercial capture of most species is not increasing and about one&#8208;third of the worldwide demand for fish is currently being met through aquaculture.

Demand for fish is increasing worldwide as the health benefits of eating more fish are reported by more and more research.

We learned that fish production is also more environmentally efficient than other forms of protein like beef or pork or chicken.

As a result fish culture will be less affected by climate change than land raised animals.

Certainly there are environmental concerns about aquaculture.

But we were encouraged by research and development that continually addresses these concerns.

For example, decreasing amounts of fish meal used in aquaculture feed, improving food conversion rates in salmon aquaculture, (B.C. salmon farmers now convert each pound of feed into one pound of salmon).

Once accused of being a waste of fish they are now on their way to becoming a net fish protein producer.

We have clearly heard the objections and voices of those, including First Nations, who oppose the aquaculture industry in B.C.

Now we have clearly heard and observed what others have to say and how aquaculture has developed in Norway.

We want to work with Marine Harvest Canada to satisfy ourselves that their farms do not harm our environment.

We are pleased that this company has welcomed our monitoring interest.

Now we can better decide about our own future with aquaculture from the strength of understanding that is informed by fact and balanced by our own experience.

A Canadian group of First Nations Chiefs and delegates from Vancouver Island recently joined staff from Marine Harvest and Grieg Seafood to attend Norway’s Aquavision 2008 and to visit numerous aquaculture facilities. "The purpose of the trip was to share information about global aquaculture and to visit the birthplace of salmon farming," says Ian Roberts of Marine Harvest Canada.

Veteran commercial fisherman James Walkus was one of the guests on the tour. "I found it very fascinating," said Walkus. "Their science efforts, of studying the Atlantic salmon, was very good. It is truly remarkable how much effort they put into fish farming to make it a success in their country."

"What I'm saying is it's the obligation and the right of every First Nation to have meaningful input into the activities that go on within their traditional territory. And there are First Nations on this coast that are very supportive of aquaculture industry. But I want them to be able to have the opportunity to make that decision for an activity in their territory. But by saying that, I also want our First Nation's view on this and the decision to not have it in our territory also respected."

Today, representatives of the Kwicksutaineuk/Ah-Kwa-Mish (kwik wasoo tea noox & ha kwa meesh) First Nation (KAFN) gathered at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs’ office to launch a Class-Action law suit involving B.C. Government’s regulation of open net-cage salmon farms, and the very survival of B.C.’s wild salmon.

Filed in the British Columbia Supreme Court, the suit is being brought against the B.C. Government by a First Nation whose territory is within the area known as the Broughton Archipelago. This is the formerly salmon rich area of mainland coast, islands and bays east of the northern tip of Vancouver Island (see map below).

Currently, 29 fish farms are authorized by the B.C. Government to operate in the area. The KAFN contends that these fish farms are licensed and regulated in a manner that has significant negative impacts on wild salmon stocks.

Chief Bob Chamberlin is the Representative Plaintiff, acting for the entire class of First Nations affected by the current fisheries management regime. He is a KAFN Chief and a long time advocate for aquaculture industry reforms to protect wild salmon. At the media conference, Chief Chamberlin was
supported by community elders and representatives of other B.C. First Nations.

Chief Chamberlin explained that the decision to take the B.C. Government to Court was not entered into lightly, but has become a last resort. He stated, “We have been patient and respectful, attending countless meetings while damage continues to be inflicted on the wild salmon by open net-cage salmon farms.

We have waited for provincial support for closed containment technology and we have advanced farm fallowing plans and schedules to no avail. We have tried to work with the Government, at a government to government level and through the New Relationship initiative, but we are out of time. Wild salmon
stocks throughout the entire Broughton are in a sustained and serious decline; some salmon runs may become extinct and never be replaced. The salmon have existed here as long as we have, and it is essential to the survival of our distinct aboriginal culture that plentiful stocks of wild salmon survive.”

Referencing the Statement of Claim prepared by the legal team from the Vancouver law firm of Camp, Fiorante and Matthews (CFM), assisted by the Victoria office of Woodward & Company, Chief Chamberlin provided an overview of what is being sought by the KAFN:

• A declaration that how the province has authorized and regulated the salmon farms has contributed to a significant decline in the wild salmon stocks;

• A declaration that how the province has authorized and regulated the salmon farms has infringed the KAFN and other Class Members’ fishing rights in violation of s.35 of the Constitution Act

• An injunction prohibiting the issuing of salmon aquaculture permits in the Broughton Archipelago, until adequate consultation and accommodation has occurred; and

• A declaration that the province must remediate the impact of salmon farms on wild salmon.

Class-Action lawyer JJ Camp from CFM stated, “This is an important claim, deserving attention for its merits and for being the first time a Canadian First Nation has used the Class Proceeding Act to advance an Aboriginal rights claim.” Camp observed that, “The Class-Action law suit approach was chosen in part because of the speed with which it can be acted upon. This is important, since there is an immediate and current threat to wild salmon from parasites (sea-lice) and disease, especially young salmon migrating near the fish farms this spring.”

Class-Actions offer access to justice and promote judicial efficiency because the same issue is not litigated repeatedly. They often promote policy changes by defendants who would not normally be motivated to change.

JJ Camp explained that the Courts will determine whether the proposed action will be allowed to proceed as a Class-Action, which is required to be determined within 90 days of the filing today. Once certified as a Class-Action, the next step is a trial of the common issues, similar to an individual trial, except the outcome dictates the result for all class members.

The KAFN’s lawyer, Krista Robertson (Woodward & Company), explained how the B.C. Government currently permits and regulates the aquaculture industry, despite uncertain jurisdictional authority, and how the industry impacts the wild fishery and Aboriginal rights. She noted that “The KAFN have
repeatedly expressed their concerns to the federal and provincial governments about the permitting of farms in areas where there are significant runs of juvenile wild salmon, without adequate protection from the transfer of disease, sea-lice and other parasites, or even basic environmental assessments.” She
concluded, “The province has continually infringed upon the KAFN’s constitutionally protected fishing rights, without justification.”

Chief Chamberlin lauded the tireless efforts of other First Nations, non-Aboriginal communities, non-governmental organizations, the ecotourism industry and the many individuals working to protect wild salmon from the negative impacts of the salmon farming industry. He referred to the many letters of support, e-mails, and calls he has received from other First Nations and BC residents who want the problem fixed before it is too late. He stated, “I know in my heart that saving wild salmon is important to all Canadians.”

The importance of First Nations participation is a key highlight of a new report by the Pacific Salmon Forum prepared for the BC Government. It recommends limits on salmon farming, and calls for the creation of a new agency to help protect salmon habitat.

( NOTE: Turtle Island Native Network has gleaned the following quotes from the report with emphasis on any references to First Nations. )

"A new provincial governance system will require many changes, beginning with the creation of a single Water and Land Agency responsible for making all water and land decisions in watersheds in accordance with ecosystem principles.

It will also require that federal, provincial, First Nations and local government collaborate on watershed governance, and that 'ecosystem goods and services' such as carbon storage are valued in decisions."

The report recommends a practical set of ecosystem indicators for watersheds and marine systems be established by 2012.

"First Nations' traditional knowledge and expertise should be utilized in establishing habitat and ecosystem indicators." For this new system to be successful the report says,

"Support will be available to First Nations to enable them to participate in meaningful consultation on the transition to this new form of watershed and marine system governance."

The Forum recommends that all levels of government support collaborative pilot projects in watersheds to establish common principles and practical procedures.

"We recognize that each area is unique and we are not, therefore, prescribing where these pilots should take place. It is, however, essential that First Nations are key participants in light of their constitutional rights and the direction of the Province's New Relationship."

"Protocol agreements should be in place with local First Nations and resource companies to ensure ecosystem monitoring programs are undertaken."

( NOTE: Turtle Island Native Network has gleaned the following quotes from the Pacific Salmon Forum report with emphasis on any references to First Nations. )

As part of its vision for the future, the Pacific Salmon Forum sees . . .
BC'S FIRST NATIONS FULLY ENGAGED IN ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENT WITHIN THEIR TRADITIONAL TERRITORIES.

First Nations' knowledge and expertise utilized in establishing habitat and ecosystem indicators.

Funding sources available to build capacity within First Nations, enabling them to participate in maintaining healthy watersheds and marine systems for wild and farmed salmon production.
- - -

Effective government-to-government relationships with First Nations are essential and the provincial government and BC First Nations are working together to develop a New Relationship founded on respect and recognition of Aboriginal rights and title.

The Province has a legal obligation to consult with First Nations as well as other obligations entrenched in treaties and other agreements. There is no agreed
guideline, however, to use when consultation triggered by water and land use encroaches into areas of rights and title. A constructive process needs to be
established to address this impasse.

Consultation can also put an onerous burden on many BC First Nations who lack the capacity for full engagement, especially when there is more than one
consultation in progress at a given time. Support for First Nations to build capacity is essential to fully engage them in the management of the resources
within their traditional territories.

Without attention to these issues, timely licensing or license amendments for all resource-based industries will be delayed. Not only will delay impact
economic development, it will impair the ability of companies to implement adaptive management measures to benefit habitat and/or wild salmon.

To speed up the consultation process, the provincial government recently established a coordinated consultation process with First Nations on license and permit applications. The province has also piloted an approach with the Nanwakolas Tribal Council to have a ‘single window’ for all referrals for First Nations consultation.

First Nations’ knowledge and expertise should be utilized in establishing habitat and ecosystem indicators and First Nations should be engaged in the ecosystem-based management of the resource industries within their traditional territories, including the marine systems. Protocol agreements should be in place with local First Nations and resource companies to ensure
ecosystem monitoring programs are undertaken.

Alert Bay, BC, Press Release --(May 29, 2009) - There is a closed containment Atlantic salmon fish farm operating in Norway, just a little east of Bergen. And it is little surprise the developer/operator has received, little if any support, from the major fish farm companies whom call Norway home.

"It is difficult to put to words how I felt standing on an operating closed containment Fish Farm, watching Atlantic salmon swimming inside," says Chief Bob Chamberlin, Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nation. "It was an amazing circumstance for me to speak with the owner of Preline who has developed the closed containment system, and both of us needing something to give hope for our individual yet intertwined dreams" says Chief Chamberlin.

This pilot project appears simple in design and has a low need for power, something which contradicts what the companies and governments alike, espouse when asked about closed containment as a means to save the dwindling wild salmon stocks of BC. "I urge the Gordon Campbell Government to move beyond words with the New Relationship and Aquaculture development to bring this emerging technology to British Columbia as a commercial pilot project."

This little discovery comes on the heels of another trip to Norway sponsored by Pure Salmon Campaign to attend the shareholder AGM's of Marine Harvest and Cermaq, two companies with major operations in British Columbia. This year's Canadian delegation included Chief Bob Chamberlin, Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nation, Chief Bobby Joseph, Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk Tribal Council, Shannon Gillies, Wilderness Tourism Operators and Alexandra Morton. There were a good number of meetings with Sami Parliament, Norwegian Government, company representatives, investors, environmental groups and concerned citizens of Norway.

Alexandra Morton met with leading government scientists to learn that in Norway there is a holding of breath going on, leading up to this summers sea lice season in the fjords. Sea lice resistance to chemical treatments are now at a critical stage with little if anything that looks likea plan B from government and companies alike, should this be the year the resistance is complete.

Chief Chamberlin asked an embarrassed Board of Directors why their companies are not acting in accordance with the Norwegian government's support for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It appeared that very few knew anything about this support.

To this end Chief Chamberlin presented the Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk Tribal Councils Coordinated Area Management Plan, which includes an annual fallow plan to have farms empty during out migration times in the Broughtan Archipelago, as a means to act upon a number of components in the UN Declaration, ones pertaining to industry activity, environment and safeguarding of Indigenous peoples traditional food sources.

The Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nations call for respecting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was supported in letter form the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, First Nation Summit and the BC Assembly of First Nations.

"The saddest part is that Canada doesn't support this UN Declaration. And I need to travel to a foreign country to seek accommodation of our First Nations Titles and Rights, when the New Relationship is supposed to do these very things" concludes Chief Chamberlin.

KAFN urge Cermaq to embrace the spirit and intent of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

(Oslo, Norway - May 19, 2009)

First Nations leaders, and Alexandra Morton from the Broughton Archipelago, are in Norway this week. The will meet with MPs in the Norwegian Parliament (Storting), representatives of the Sami people of Norway, financial analysts, scientists and Cermaq (Mainstream) shareholders.

"Cermaq, as a Norwegian-owned company, is not conducting business in the Broughton Archipelago consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that the Norwegian Government signed onto in 2007 [1]. We have come here to Norway to expose the double standard of Cermaq's operations in relation to wild salmon impacts. By ignoring peer-reviewed science, Cermaq is being trigger-happy in Russian roulette with our peoples' wild salmon stocks".

Chief Robert Joseph, hereditary chief of the Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nation, added:

"The demise of wild salmon is tantamount to genocide because it reflects the demise of our culture, way of life and spirituality. Since the advent of salmon farming in our territories we have seen an apocalyptic decline in the state of our wild salmon stocks in the Broughton Archipelago. And because Norway is the world leader in salmon farming and the Norwegian Government is the leading shareholder in Cermaq we are asking for their moral leadership to bring about best practices and to mitigate environmental degradation".

Alexandra Morton, director of the Salmon Coast Field Station in the Broughton Archipelago, remarked:

"In light of actions taken to protect the wild salmon in Norway and numerous studies documenting Norwegian fish farms damaging Canadian ecosystems, why are the people of Norway standing by while these publicly supported Norwegian corporations export their catastrophic industry around the world? As a biologist, I see solutions, but the Norwegian salmon farming industry refuses to take responsibility and remove these industrial sites from the most valuable wild salmon habitat in Canada. It's still not too late to stop the collapse of wild salmon and social decay here in western Canada. But to do so, it will take the efforts of concerned citizens working across borders, to make it clear to the Norwegian government that salmon farms must not destroy the wild salmon arteries flowing into the coast of British Columbia."

I am following the news that DFO is reporting 11 million sockeye salmon have vanished. The magnitude, social impact and trajectory of this fishery failure is on a par with the collapse of Canada’s Atlantic cod. Scientists have published on what went wrong within DFO to allow the cod, one of earth’s most abundant food resources to collapse. They identified political distortion of the science as a critical factor. They argue the public was not accurately informed as the collapse was underway.

This brings me to several recent comments in the media attributed to high-ranking DFO employees. Bary Rosenburger, DFO area director for the Fraser, describes the Fraser sockeye collapse as unexpected and that DFO doesn’t know what happened (Globe and Mail, Aug 13, 2009). But the next day he goes on to say it does not look like fish farms are responsible (BCLocalNews.com).

On August 15, Paul Sprout, Pacific Region Director for DFO published a letter in the Globe and Mail “Sea lice from fish farms are not the explanation of this year’s extremely poor marine survival of Fraser River sockeye...”

Given both the importance of the Fraser sockeye to the BC economy, ecology and First Nations; and the analysis that DFO political interference with science may have allowed the east coast cod to collapse, it is reasonable to ask what science did Sprout and Rosenburger use to inform the public that fish farms are not responsible for this sockeye collapse?

Two of your highest ranking employees involved with this fishery have publicly exonerated the fish farmers, an industry associated with catastrophic salmon collapse worldwide (Ford and Myers 2008) and here in BC (Krkosek et al 2007).

The most recent past catastrophic BC wild salmon collapse was in 2002 when 99% of the Broughton pink salmon failed to return. The Pink Salmon Action Plan (http://www.fish.bc.ca/node/135) temporarily removed farm salmon from the Broughton pink salmon migration route and the next generation of pink salmon returned at the highest survivorship ever recorded for the species (Beamish et al 2006). That management decision was reversed and the stock collapsed again.

Dr. Brian Riddell of the Pacific Salmon Foundation suggests that answers to the fate of these sockeye may lie in what happened to them right after they left the Fraser River, before they reached the open ocean. I and others did examine this run of sockeye shortly after they left the Fraser River. We were the last scientists to see these fish before they disappeared, and they had up to 28 sea lice on them as they passed the salmon farms off Campbell River.

Before you reply that DFO’s Dr. Simon Jones says young salmon are highly resistant to lice, please review his publications. I do not find the data in his studies to support this claim once the lice are attached to the fish. Many international scientific papers run contrary to Dr. Jones’ assertions.

I cannot tell you that fish farms definitely killed all 11 million missing Fraser sockeye, but fish farms most certainly are involved because DFO and the Province of BC sited them on the Fraser River migration route. The missing sockeye did swim through fish farm effluent. Rather than exempting fish farms from your investigation you must order complete disclosure of the health and number of farm salmon on the missing Fraser sockeye migration route in 2006-present. And we, the people of Canada and beyond, need to know why DFO is exonerating fish farms in the first few days of the investigation on what happened to one of earth’s most generous human food supplies?

Thousands, but not the anticipated millions have arrived, and this dramatic drop has sent shockwaves through First Nations and the commercial fisheries in British Columbia. It is being described as a grim picture.

The sockeye situation is so critical that the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) wants the sports fishery halted immediately. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President stated, "In order to provide a fighting chance for returning sockeye, it is imperative that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans shut down the Chinook sports fishery on the Fraser River. Every effort, including the complete shut-down of the sports fishery, should be made to limit the possibility of incidental by-catch or the practice of snagging or 'flossing' of sockeye." Anglers of the sports fishery are able to catch and keep four (4) Chinook salmon per day until August 31st. "With hundreds of anglers plying the Lower Fraser, seven days a week, DFO is hard-pressed to closely monitor and verify their catch," said Grand Chief Phillip. "Every sockeye salmon that survives the myriad of challenges represents our ability to sustain our precious cultural legacy for our grandchildren."

The Pacific Salmon Commission has revised and lowered their projections for sockeye salmon returns of the Fraser River. The Commission had originally forecasted a return of 10.6 million sockeye but is now reporting that many of the runs are far less than anticipated. Biologists are warning that the temperature of the Fraser River is rising which greatly increases the mortality rates of salmon.

Grand Chief Phillip concluded, "With the river warming rapidly coupled with the much lowered projections, the conservation of sockeye should be of paramount concern to all involved. DFO must act immediately. Any delay shall only serve to endanger and jeopardize the fishing stocks of the future". - - -

I urge you to close the active open net-cage farms in the Wild Salmon Narrows, a critical wild salmon migration route in British Columbia's northern Georgia Strait. The global body of independent peer-reviewed science is clear: open net-cage salmon farms put wild salmon at risk of disease and parasite infection and jeopardize the health of ocean ecosystems.

In BC, not only are the Broughton Archipelago's juvenile pink and chum salmon being affected by sea lice, but recent science indicates that net-cage farms in the northern Georgia Strait are putting our iconic Fraser River sockeye at risk of sea lice infection as well.

Both levels of government have a responsibility to protect wild salmon, and the jobs and communities that depend on them. I implore you to remove all five active fish farms in the channel north and east of Quadra Island, and revoke the four inactive fish farm tenures to the south in Hoskyn Channel.

There have been repeated calls for closed containment research and development funding from regional governments, government-funded committees, community groups, concerned citizens, and even support within the salmon farming industry itself. Please take this opportunity to make BC a leader in sustainable aquaculture by clearing the Wild Salmon Narrows of fish farms and making a substantial investment in closed containment.

Five open net-cage salmon farms must be permanently removed from a salmon migration route in the northern Georgia Strait in order to protect thousands of juvenile salmon from sea lice and other potentially fatal diseases.

Georgia Strait Alliance, with our partners at the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform, are demanding that all fish farms be removed from Okisollo and Hoskyn Channels along the east and north of Quadra Island, the Wild Salmon Narrows. This is a necessary emergency measure to protect wild salmon, including Fraser River Sockeye, from sea lice infection from fish farms.- - -

Urgent Action: Fish Farm Application Must Be Denied!

Summer 2009

To: The Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Agriculture and Lands

CC: The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans CanadaCC: The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of BCCC: The Honourable Barry Penner, Minister of EnvironmentCC: The Honourable Bill Bennet, Minister of Community and Rural Development

Dear Minister Thomson,

I am writing to urge you to deny the application by Grieg Seafood Ltd for a new net-cage salmon farm at Gunner Point in Johnstone Strait. The scientific evidence is undeniable: wild juvenile salmon are at risk due to infestations of sea lice from existing open net-cage salmon farms in BC. Adding any new salmon farms along the only northern migration route through Georgia Strait could be disastrous for wild salmon populations and all the economic sectors that rely on healthy marine ecosystems.

The location of Grieg's proposed farm in Sunderland Channel is at the bottleneck of the migratory route for juvenile salmon from as far south as the Fraser River and Puget Sound. Considering all the pressures on wild salmon survival, I would strongly support a moratorium on any new open net-cage salmon farms in BC.

Canadians rely on our governments to protect wild salmon. We also understand that aquaculture can play an important role in our economy if it is done sustainably. Canada has the opportunity to become a global leader in the growing demand for responsibly farmed products and environmentally sound technology. Rather than lend your support to more harmful open net-cages, I want my government to invest in the future. I understand there have been repeated calls to your government to assist with the transition to closed containment farming, including calls from the Pacific Salmon Forum, numerous local governments, community groups, chefs, restaurants, concerned citizens and even a salmon farming company.

I urge you and the government of Canada to heed these calls and take responsible action; first by denying Greig's applications for new farms in Sunderland Channel, then by investing in the development of closed containment. Please take this opportunity to make BC a world leader in sustainable aquaculture technology.

Chief Bob Chamberlin of Kwicksutaineuk/Ak-Kwa-Mish Tribes and Secretary-Treasurer of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC) stated “The UBCIC is appalled that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is not seeking to fully understand all of the potential contributors, specifically fish farms, to the unprecedented collapse of not only Fraser River Sockeye but the many runs of wild salmon in southern British Columbia. What is immediately required is a coordinated and educated management of the fisheries from the spawning beds to international waters to the return of the salmon. We need to make the conservation of wild salmon the top priority of DFO. Instead of providing leadership during this crisis, DFO Minister Gail Shea is currently promoting Canadian fish farms in Norway."

Within two days of reporting that 11 million Fraser sockeye had vanished without a trace, the DFO Area Director for Fraser Region, Bary Rosenburger and the Pacific Region Director, Paul Sprout stated publicly that fish farms are not a factor. Fish farms are associated with wild salmon collapse worldwide (Ford and Myers 2008) and in BC (Krkosek et al 2007). When the Broughton pink salmon collapsed in 2002 their migration route was cleared of farm fish for one season (http://www.fish.bc.ca/node/135) and their survival was the highest ever recorded (Beamish et al 2006). Scientists report DFO politics interfered with the science that might have prevented Canada’s Atlantic cod collapse. (Hutchings et al 1997).

This collapse precisely hit salmon smolts that migrated north from the Fraser River and Alexandra Morton examined them as they passed the Campbell River fish farms. “I cannot tell you that fish farms killed all 11 million missing Fraser sockeye, but the ones I examined were infected with sea lice, in poor condition and unlikely to survive. We will continue to lose salmon run after salmon run unless we exhaustively explore all potential contributors for answers,” states Morton.

The Pacific Salmon Commission has revised and lowered their projections for sockeye salmon returns of the Fraser River. The Commission had originally forecasted a return of 10.6 million sockeye but is now reporting that many of the runs are far less than anticipated.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the UBCIC, concluded “The UBCIC has consistently opposed fish farms and will continue to do so until such time as the destructive and deadly impacts to wild salmon are fully addressed. We continue to call on DFO to act decisively to protect wild salmon. If not, it is time for a new Minister who genuinely cares and is completely committed to the future of wild salmon."

The UBCIC is a NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations- - -

Aug 17th, 2009

King Harald VThe Royal PalaceDrammensveien 1N-0010OsloNorway

14th August 2009

Your Royal Highness,

Protecting wild salmon from open net cage salmon farms

Further to our letter of 15th December 2006 (re-enclosed here), we appeal to you as the King of Norway to stop the killing of wild fish by Norwegian-owned open net cage salmon farms. We ask that you take time during your visit to Trondheim on 18th August when you will be opening the Aqua Nor trade show1 to watch the new film “Dear Norway – Help Save Canada’s Wild Salmon” produced by Damien Gillis.

Your visit to the Trondheimsfjord area – one of only two fjords in Norway where salmon farming is completely banned under the Laksfjord regulations – represents an opportunity to hear how Norwegian companies are operating to lower standards in other regions. We think it is important that Norwegians understand their impact on temperate coastal countries worldwide – especially in British Columbia where the Norwegian companies Marine Harvest, Cermaq and Grieg control 92% of salmon farming production2 . We expect a country such as Norway who signed the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 20073 and who published a white paper on Corporate Social Responsibility Abroad in 20094 to respect the rights of First Nations whose culture depends upon healthy wild salmon populations.

Since our letter to you in 2006, the situation has deteriorated and the weight of scientific evidence linking open net cage salmon farms with declines in wild fish is now overwhelming5. Canada’s largest wild salmon runs are failing every year while in neighbouring Alaska where salmon farming is banned they are harvesting record runs. Another film by Damien Gillis – “Aquacultural Revolution: The scientific case for changing salmon farming”6 – presents the scientific perspective and is recommended viewing in advance of your trip to Trondheim. You may also be interested in watching a sea lice animation recently released by Norges Jeger-og Fiskerforbund7.

In May this year, the Pure Salmon Campaign brought a delegation of First Nation chiefs, scientists, wilderness tourism, labor union, fishing and environmental leaders from Chile, Canada, Ireland, Scotland and the United States to Norway to bear witness to the problems of Marine Harvest and Cermaq in particular8.

You may have read Alexandra Morton’s passionate plea published in Bergens Tidende in May which ended with:

“It's still not too late to stop the collapse of wild salmon and social decay here in western Canada. But to do so, it will take the efforts of concerned citizens working across borders, to make it clear to the Norwegian government that salmon farms must not destroy the wild salmon arteries flowing into the coast of British Columbia. In today’s world such behavior is an act of inexcusable immorality as future generations will need life on earth to survive.”9

And you may have read about our visit to Preline’s closed containment farm in Hardangerfjord10. Chief Bob Chamberlin of the Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nation, who delivered letters to you in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and visited Norway again this year, said:

“It is difficult to put to words how I felt standing on an operating closed containment fish farm, watching Atlantic salmon swimming inside. It was an amazing circumstance for me to speak with the owner of Preline who has developed the closed containment system, and both of us needing something to give hope for our individual yet intertwined dreams”11.

Bergens Tidende also featured the Preline closed containment system in an article published in June12. Representatives from Preline – together with other closed containment companies – will be in Trondheim for the AquaNor trade show and we encourage you to explore these technologies which can protect wild fish from the spread of sea lice and escapes from salmon farms.

During his visit to Norway in May, Chief Robert Joseph of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council said:

“The demise of wild salmon is tantamount to genocide because it reflects the demise of our culture, way of life and spirituality. Since the advent of salmon farming in our territories we have seen an apocalyptic decline in the state of our wild salmon stocks in the Broughton Archipelago. And because Norway is the world leader in salmon farming and the Norwegian Government is the leading shareholder in Cermaq we are asking for their moral leadership to bring about best practices and to mitigate environmental degradation”13.

Public opposition to Norwegian-owned salmon farming companies operating in British Columbia is building with negative press coverage of ‘rapacious Norwegians’ in the international media14 as well as at home in Norway15. You may be aware that this issue was raised in the Norwegian Parliament in May this year via a Parliamentary Question tabled by Heikki Holmås MP with a reply from Helga Pedersen, Norway’s Fisheries Minister16. Public comments were also made in the Norwegian media by several MPs including Peter Gitmark from Hoyre17, Ola Borten Moe from Senterpartiet18 and Heikki Holmås from Sosialistisk Venstreparti19.

Cermaq – whose largest shareholder is the Norwegian Government – is now the subject of a complaint filed with the OECD in May by Norges Naturvernforbund and ForUM20. In the same month, Norway was criticized by First Nations groups for failing to adhere to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples with respect to Cermaq’s operations in Canada21. In October 2008, Cermaq’s operations in Canada were criticized for blatantly violating their licences after years of over-production22. And NRK reported only yesterday that Cermaq was encountering local opposition in Norway with a petition signed by 6,000 people objecting to expansion in Ofotfjorden23.

Marine Harvest’s operations in Canada have also been subject of growing controversy and legal action in the B.C. Supreme Court24. Grieg’s plans to expand in the Georgia Strait in British Columbia have angered local residents, fishermen and tourist operators alike25. And in June, the Coastal Alliance for Aquaculture Reform called for the emergency closure of five farms operated by Marine Harvest, Cermaq and Grieg to protect migrating wild salmon26. The issue will only continue to heat up at the expense of Norway’s reputation.

Nor is Canada the only region where Norwegian-owned companies are experiencing local opposition. In Ireland, where Marine Harvest control over 50% of production, Salmon Watch recently filed a complaint with the European Commission contending that salmon farms are responsible for the generation of high levels of sea lice infestation in juvenile salmon migrating from rivers to their feeding grounds in the sea27. And in the UK where Norwegian-owned companies control in excess of 80% of salmon farming production, the Salmon and Trout Association (whose patron is Prince Charles) have organized a petition calling on the Scottish Government to move salmon farms away from the estuaries of major rivers28.

We hope that you agree with John Fredriksen, owner of Marine Harvest, who in July 2007 when he was fishing on the River Alta called for salmon farms to be moved out of the path of wild salmon29. In September 2007, over 30 fishing and environmental groups including Norsk Lakseelver, the Norwegian Salmon Association, Granvin Fiskarlag and Nausta Vernegruppa, wrote to Marine Harvest urging them to follow Mr Fredriksen’s wise advice30.

As both the King of Norway and a wild salmon angler on the River Alta yourself31, Your Royal Highness surely has an interest in protecting wild salmon both in Norway and internationally as well as preserving Norway’s international reputation. The 2010 Winter Olympics will be held along the shores of the Fraser River where the wild sockeye salmon that run past Norwegian-owned fish farms have been closed to fishing again this year. Yesterday’s Globe & Mail newspaper in Canada reports that “the Fraser River is experiencing one of the biggest salmon disasters in recent history with more than nine million sockeye vanishing”32 with The Straight newspaper reporting that “fish farms could be a contributing factor”33. Today’s Globe & Mail also featured the issue34.

When you meet with Marine Harvest, Cermaq, Grieg, the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries, Helga Pedersen, the Canadian Fisheries Minister, Gail Shea, and Scotland’s Minister for the Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, during Aqua Nor we therefore encourage you to ask why Norwegian companies are still being allowed to kill wild fish not just in Norway but also in Canada, Scotland and Ireland. And if you have time to view the new film “Dear Norway – Help Save Canada’s Wild Salmon” please come and visit the Pure Salmon Campaign at booth # B-111C at Aqua Nor to arrange a private viewing.

Yours sincerely,

Bob Chamberlin, Chief of the Kwicksutaineuk Ah-kwa-mish First Nation and Chairman of the Musgamagw-Tsawataineuk Tribal Council, Canada

Alexandra Morton, Director of the Salmon Coast Field Station, Canada

David Suzuki, Executive Director of David Suzuki Foundation, Canada

Brian Gunn, President of the Wilderness Tourism Association of British Columbia, Canada

The fisheries advisor to the Sto:lo Tribal Council, Ernie Crey, says that Fraser River Sockeye is now commercially extinct. He says that in the summer of both 2007 and 2008 sockeye salmon failed to make it back to the Fraser River in large enough numbers to support commercial fishing in either U.S. or Canadian waters. “While it’s true that in 2008 Canada picked up a meager 16,100 sockeye in commercial fisheries and the U.S. fleet snagged 46,000 sockeye, these fisheries qualified more as an embarrassment than an actual fishery”, said Crey. And he says that the summer of 2007, in so far as Fraser sockeye was concerned, was a complete washout for both the U.S. and Canada.

Crey said that salmon experts at both the Pacific Salmon Commission and the Department of Fisheries & Oceans, predicted that 10.6 million sockeye would come back to the Fraser River this summer. “A fish run of that size would have permitted commercial exploitation of Fraser sockeye by both the U.S. and Canada, unfortunately the forecast was wildly optimistic with fewer than 2 million sockeye actually showing up”. He said everyone is now starting to count down the days to next summer when another big sockeye run to the Fraser is expected. “I hope next summer does turn out to be a banner year for Fraser sockeye, but there is a strong possibility 2010 will be a carbon copy of 2009 and we should plan accordingly”, said Crey.

“We need to face up to the facts about Fraser sockeye. The summer of 2010 could be a bust for Fraser sockeye and, we already know that the following two summers will take us back to two successive low cycle years for sockeye. And the fish from this year’s spawning population will come back to the Fraser in 2013. This means we are staring four straight years of no commercial sockeye fishing squarely in the face. There is no way to candy coat the next four summers, Fraser sockeye are now commercially extinct for the foreseeable future”, said Crey.

Crey said that both the First Nations Council and the Sto: lo Tribal Council has asked the Fisheries Minister to help organize a salmon summit to address the Fraser River salmon calamity, but they have yet to hear from the Minister’s Office.